[JSpira]

This is pretty big news, even if it won't hit the U.S.


Volkswagen Launches 261 mpg XL1 Plug-in Hybrid, World’s Most Efficient Production Car

Diesel Plug-in Hybrid Gullwing Set to Go Into Production

Volkswagen announced the launch of the XL1 plug-in hybrid, a vehicle Volkswagen says is the most fuel-efficient production car in the world. The XL1 can cover 32 miles (52 kilometers) in all-electric mode as a zero-emissions vehicle. Fuel economy is 261 mpg (0.91 l/100 km), thereby meeting a goal set by Volkswagen chairman Ferdinand Piëch at the start of the century of offering a vehicle that has a fuel consumption rating of one liter per 100 kilometers or 235 mpg...

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[Sniz]

I might be uneducated on the application but a 32 mile range is just about useless to me.

[clumsyalex]

Originally Posted by Sniz

I might be uneducated on the application but a 32 mile range is just about useless to me.

Only in all-electric mode

[Sniz]

Originally Posted by clumsyalex

Only in all-electric mode

right but is that even really useful, what does it do as a car thats useful?

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by Sniz

right but is that even really useful, what does it do as a car thats useful?

Most trips people make like to the grocery store, local restaurant, maybe even work are under 32 miles. A lot of people could run errands and never use a drop of gas. Makes sense to me.

[Sniz]

Originally Posted by TK-421

Most trips people make like to the grocery store, local restaurant, maybe even work are under 32 miles. A lot of people could run errands and never use a drop of gas. Makes sense to me.

yeah that makes sense, I need to remember I drive wayyyy more than most people and longer distances as well.

For me to consider something like this i'd need 150 miles at a minimum on a charge that can recharged in a very short amount of time.

[Ammonia]

Originally Posted by Sniz

For me to consider something like this i'd need 150 miles at a minimum on a charge that can recharged in a very short amount of time.

Its a hybrid, doesn't the diesel charge it?

[Sniz]

Originally Posted by Ammonia

Its a hybrid, doesn't the diesel charge it?

maybe? I guess I need more clarity on how this car works. They all seem to be a bit different.

[elwesso]

32 miles round trip would probably be reasonable for lots of commuters, especially in cities where you're not traveling a lot of distance but typically lots of time idling.. It's not too useful for my commute at 84 miles round trip per day, but I know *many* people that don't put anywhere near 32 miles per day on their car.

Using only 8HP to move the car at 60 MPH is very impressive... Heck my push lawn mower is 6HP just to give you an idea on the amount of power required. 27HP is about the same HP as a bigger riding lawn mower.

[son_of_siggy]

My commute for the past 3 years or so was 33 miles roundtrip. I have a Volt, which in the summer gets about 40-41 miles range, and in the winter can get as low as 23-24. Fortunately I could charge at work when I wanted, so my monthly commute bill was 8 bucks (charging half at work for free) to 16 bucks (charging all at home).

I'd like to know more about this Volkswagon and what they mean by 260+mpg. Really depends on how they test. In the volt I was getting above 400mpg at a time if one were simply dividing miles driven by gas burned. I had 6500 miles on the odo and only had burned 16 gallons total of gas.

And it's really only a "zero-emissions" when your charging source is green too .